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Jeffrey Earnhardt moves into spotlight at Richmond

By HANK KURZ Jr. AP Sports Writer

Posted:
04/25/2013 09:20:46 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va.—Jeffrey Earnhardt moves into the biggest spotlight of his career Friday night at Richmond International Raceway when he's scheduled to drive his uncle's JR Motorsports car in the Nationwide Series race.

He has modest expectations knowing he'll be racing against far more seasoned drivers.

"I think everyone's goal, including Junior's, is to go and run a successful race and take what the car can give me," Earnhardt said Thursday. "That's kind of the approach I've took to every race so far."

Earnhardt has competed in 14 career Nationwide Series races, including four this season for Archie St. Hilaire and Go Green Racing. He had a season-best 20th-place finish at Phoenix on March 2.

"In this case, we have the car capable of winning, but not exactly the driver," he said.

The son of Kerry Earnhardt has also made 10 starts in NASCAR's Truck Series, in 2010 and 2011. He is only the second fourth-generation driver to compete in NASCAR's top touring series, joining the late Adam Petty, and said he's learned to handle having one of the most famous last names in racing.

"Obviously to be part of something so great is a huge honor and I hope I can carry the Earnhardt name as well as I possibly can," he said. "It is pressure, and it seems like over the years, it's something I've kind of been able to deal with a lot better than I would have thought."

The JR Motorsports No. 5 car is usually driven by Kasey Kahne or Brad Sweet.